February 6, 2006

Here is a good column that points out the importance of making sure one does not send out mixed messages: Sacred, profane meet over breakfast. It points out that the irony of the Communications Director for Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher using foul language to attack a column about Fletcher's prayer meeting being only for Christians. Here are a few highlights:

"I don't hear a lot of barnyard language on the religion beat, at least not when the topic of conversation is evangelical prayer breakfasts."

"The governor's public relations guy was loudly and colorfully challenging the accuracy of the headline on my Jan. 27 story, 'Non-Christians left out of Fletcher breakfast,' dropping a few F-bombs along the way."

"After taking the Lord's name in vain, the governor's spokesman made it clear that no one was excluded from Fletcher's prayer breakfast. People of all faiths were welcome to sit in the crowd and enjoy Christian songs, Scriptures, testimonies and prayer in Jesus' name if they bought a ticket."

"When running for governor, Fletcher promised to 'rebuild our government with people of rock-solid values,' and, until recently, the Fletcher administration had a low tolerance for foul language. Chief of Staff Stan Cave isn't shy about complaining to editors if he thinks a reporter's speech is too salty."

Unfortunately this type of hypocrisy seems to be normal for politics. Fletcher plays the God card for political gain and if anyone dares question it then he can sic his PR guy on them. Maybe it should be called the "heaven and hell strategy." This is just another reason why Christians need to be careful to not allow themselves to be too closely tied to politicians.